​As a writer I find words and characters flow more easily if I'm calm and relaxed. But let's face it in our modern day society finding ourselves centred is a hard thing to come by, with stresses and anxiety coming at us at every turn. So I thought I'd put together this De-Stress series, to help you relax and find your little retreat from this crazy world!

Getting out in nature, the simplicity of the forest, wood, beach or park. It's something we take for granted and forget can be wonderfully relaxing. Just being in a place which demands nothing from you, but to drink in its sights and senses can be very centring.​ I've gone for a wander sometimes, found a shady bench somewhere and just sat, listening to birds and the breeze rustling the leaves, while simply doing nothing. Thinking about things perhaps, but not much else. I feel this is also the perfect environment to clear your head, by either giving yourself a break from your stresses, by not letting them come into your mind while you're somewhere so peaceful, or by laying them all out in front of you without any distractions.​ Often stresses are stresses because of two things: one we don't think about them enough, or two we think about them too much! Sounds contradictory, but when you think about it, a lot of what is getting you worked up kind of falls into two categories. For example say you have a problem, and it's stressing you out, but it's a problem which needs a solution (e.g. you need a day off from work for a family event, you know you need to either ask your boss if you can have the time off at late notice, though your boss can be a bit stand-offish. Or you could swap a shift with a co-worker who rarely ever swaps). Now if you think about this one with no action, the problem won't get fixed and you get stressed, ect!​ The other stress is a What-if problem, you know the type, it's a hypothetical scenario which may happen ( e.g. you're booked in to see your dentist, you think I hope I'm not late, it's going to hurt, what if I need lodes of fillings, bet it will be expensive, prices have gone up, he'll lecture me about not flossing enough, god I'm not going to sleep the night before!) See, this is a problem by thinking about it too much, and ultimately worrying about it stresses you out, when none of these things may ever come to pass.​ This was indeed a realisation I came to while out for a walk one day, as I rambled through a grove of trees, the undergrowth crunching under my shoes, I worked out I spent a lot of time worrying about things that hadn't happened, and most probably never would! It was great to be out and about in the fresh air, and feel so far from those problems, but at the same time, many of the problems and stresses were only there in the first place because I had wished them into existence. So once I dispersed those silly What-if stresses, thought about the problems I could solve, my mind relaxed.​ Of course there will always be new stresses and worries coming our way, but ultimately isn't it how you think about them which really leads to stress rather than the problem itself. So whether you're feeling stressed or not, getting out and about in the fresh air, and surrounding yourself with nature is a great way to boost your well being.

​ Did you know by simply taking a walk through a wooded area, can help lower your blood pressure, and the stress hormones within your body! It's also been stated that getting out in nature is good for your mind, body and soul! It's a great way to exercise, whether it be something as simple as a walk or some fast passed activity. Being outside also helps you disconnect from the stresses of your technology, which we all know we need to do more than we do. Plus not only does being surrounded by nature help reduce fatigue but it also helps with depression and anxiety too.

​ So there you have it, want to chill out, get you relax on and boost you well being, well then I suggest you get your shoes on and get out there. Happy wandering!